~ Advises Police to charge Him to court than to Infringe on his Rights
The lmo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP condemns in its entirety the continuous detention of a popular Radio Presenter, Mazi Theodore Chinonso Uba, (Nonso Nkwa), in the Nigeria Police facility for over one week without trial. As a decent opposition party, we wish to appeal to the Inspector General of Police to expediently look into whatever reasons he is being held for and immediately charge him to court in line with the extant laws.
Nonso Nkwa is said to have been picked up in a Gestapo style by hooded men who were later identified as men of the Nigeria Police. The incident which elicited reactions in the people, occured on thursday, July 27, 2023, right in the premises of the Assumpta Catholic Church, Owerri. A place that should be respected due to its sacredness.
According to statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Mbadiwe Emelumba, Mazi Chinonso Uba was alleged to have made statements that defamed the character of Governor Hope Uzodinma and government of Imo state. In other words, he was whisked off for an allegation yet to be substantiated.
We of the PDP, being democratic and people oriented wish to join the numerous voice of lmolites and Civil Society Organisations to condemn this barbaric act of continuous detention of this eminent voice of the voiceless, without recourse to the extant law of the land. The police should diligently and dispassionately investigate the allegations against the young man and if found incriminating, should be charged to court rather than infringing his rights. This idea of whisking and confining alleged offenders to long periods of incarceration at the instance of the state government should be reconsidered, else it will drum wrong signals, create unnecessary panic in the minds of the people, dent police image and worse off, gag the press in the state.
The party observes with disdain the several cases of commandoo act of arrests in the state by enforcement agencies that are suppose to respect the sanctity of human life and the due process and procedure of enforcing the law. Yesterday among several others, it was Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, next it was his Son-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, today it is Nonso Nkwa. Who knows whose turn it could be next? We plead that enough should be enough, except if we are in a banana republic.
Imo PDP hereby salutes the courage of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, led by Comrade Precious Nwadike and the Secretary, Comrade Ori Martins, our eloquent and vociferous man in the NASS, Rt Hon Ikanga Ugochinyere Ikegwuonu among others for their firm condemnation of this act of subjugation. We use this medium to appeal to more lovers of democracy and good governance to lend their voices to the immediate prosecution of Nonso Nkwa to court if found wanting, rather than banishing him in jail.
Signed:
Mazi Emenike Nmeregini
Acting State Publicity Secretary.
01/08/2023
